The Goa government has granted permission to set up a semi-open prison and has also cleared the establishment of an open correctional institution at the Central Jail in Colvale. Currently, 108 convicts are lodged in the jail.
Monitoring Committee Formed
On Thursday, the government formed a three-member monitoring committee for the management of the institution. The committee is headed by Justice Valmiki Menezes, chairperson of the high court legal services committee. Members include Inspector General (Prisons) Keshav Ram Chaurasia and Director (NRI) Anthony D’Souza.
Eligibility Criteria for Prisoners
The prisons department had submitted the proposal, which has now been approved. Eligibility criteria for transfer to the open prison include completion of 90% of the sentence and good conduct in jail. IG Chaurasia stated, “We are setting up facilities of an open correctional institution within a semi prison. First, the prisoner will be moved to a semi prison and then to the open prison. Around seven prisoners are eligible to shift to open prison. The government has granted permission to set up a semi-open prison.”
Role of the Committee
The committee has to ensure compliance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court, oversee the utilization, functioning, and expansion of open correctional institutions (OCIs), facilitate the timely identification and transfer of eligible prisoners from closed prisons to OCIs, and periodically review progress and address systematic impediments in the implementation of the Supreme Court’s directions. Under Secretary (Home) Manthan Naik said, “Submission of status reports to the high court, on regular intervals, detailing the steps taken towards compliance with the directions issued.”
Supreme Court Directive
The Supreme Court has directed state governments to establish open prisons to ease the burden on the prison system and ensure smoother rehabilitation of inmates upon release. The Goa government has started work to open a semi-open prison in compliance with this directive.
Background: New Prison Rules
In 2021, the state government framed new prison rules, which laid the groundwork for the introduction of open prisons, semi-open prisons, and open colonies and camps.
Model Prison Cell for Foreign Nationals
The Central Jail at Colvale will also feature its first model prison cell built as per international standards to lodge extradited prisoners of foreign nationalities. Chaurasia said that the model prison cell can accommodate two prisoners and will be spacious.
